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Kyoto Protocol Comes Into Force

Posted by Zonk on from the better-to-use-this-than,-say,-tcp/ip dept.

Cally writes "The controversial Kyoto Treaty regulating CO2 emissions finally comes into force today. The BBC has several stories and backgrounders, and notes that international pressure is now mounting on the USA to take action as well, as the scientific consensus is well established. A key question is whether the US economy will benefit relative the rest of the world, with some arguing that new technologies such as clean power generation and energy efficient appliances will provide an economic boost."

2 of 1,336 comments (clear)

  1. Kyoto Rules by grqb · · Score: 5, Informative
    theWatt has a summary of the important details. Basically 127 countries have signed up (but not the US). Countries that have ratified the protocol must reduce emissions (such as CO2, methane, NOx etc) by 5.2% of 1990 levels by 2010, this is expected to be about a 29% cut if Kyoto was not implemented by 2010. If a country exceeds their target, then they can sell carbon credits (at about $30-40/ton in the US and $70-80/ton in Europe), if they're under, they can buy credits.


    The second round of Kyoto starts in 2012 and will try to lure in those emerging countries like China and India. The omission of China and India is the big reason why the US isn't going for Kyoto.

  2. Re:'gain a relative economical advantage'.. by Pentagram · · Score: 5, Informative

    Keep in mind that most of the US lives much, much more sparsely than Europeans.

    CO2 emissions:

    USA 5,410 million tons (20.1 tons per capita)
    EU 3,171 million tons (8.5 tons per capita)

    Care to justify your statement?